By Seyi Babalola
Rivers State Governor and first runner-up in last Saturday’s presidential primaries of the Peoples Democratic Party, Nyesom Wike has assured he will work to ensure PDP win the 2023 presidential election.
Speaking on the sideline of the tumultuous celebration held for him by his followers at home, Wike buried the thoughts of working for the ruling party to retain the seat.
Reiterating his promise uring the campaigns, Wike said, he is not leaving the PDP, but will join hands with like minds to rescue the Nation from the jaws of the ruling APC.
He said: “Like I promised, we’re not going to leave our party for anybody; we will work for our party to win the general election.
He said the outcome of the primaries has validated his position that Rivers State can no longer be taken for granted. “Now they understand what I mean when I say that Rivers State cannot be taken for granted; we’re not second class citizens in this country.”
He said three states determine
In Nigeria, three states – Lagos, Kano and Rivers determine the victory of any party in Nigeria and that, the PDP primaries have validated.
He however had very strong words for his southern governor colleagues for not rising in support of their own despite the agreement to see power shift to the south.
“It is unfortunate and very shameful that some of our southern governors who earlier said power should shift to south went to the convention to do a different thing.”
He said he has told winner of the presidential primaries Atiku Abubakar, to be weary of those sorrunding him as many of them cannot produce result during election.
“I have told them to prepare for the main election, let’s see what they can produce for the party.
“In 2019 , most of them negotiated with the APC but I was the only one who said that I wasn’t going to negotiate and I made sure APC did not get 25% from Rivers State.”
He said politics is about what you can offer, adding that most of those who conspired against us out of envy have nothing to offer in their states.
“I saw a governor who came to the convention without delegates from his state dancing because I didn’t come first but those I contested with know that we gave them sleepless nights without conspiring with anyone or group.
“We went to the election alone believing that our brother governors would keep to our agreement as southern governors but people chose to betray their region.
“The future will judge them…
“We have done our own part and we’re proud to have put up a good outing”.
